Body may be missing Stockton woman's

ESCALON - A farmer in a cornfield Saturday found a body police said could be that of Dalene Carlson, a Stockton woman missing since Aug. 7.

Alex Breitler

ESCALON - A farmer in a cornfield Saturday found a body police said could be that of Dalene Carlson, a Stockton woman missing since Aug. 7.

It might be days before positive identification can be made, officials said. Further examinations and tests must be completed.

But the size, stature and physical appearance of the deceased woman was enough for sheriff's officials - who were first called to the scene - to alert the Stockton Police Department, said Detective Roseann Clark, a police spokeswoman.

Stockton police have led the two-month investigation into Carlson's disappearance. Police were still at the scene at about 10 p.m. Saturday, eight hours after they arrived.

Clark said the farmer was harvesting corn in his field along Lone Tree Road about two miles northwest of Escalon when he discovered the body.

"He looked down and saw something suspicious," Clark said. "He took another look and realized the possibility it might be a body."

Police blocked off a lengthy section of Lone Tree Road as the investigation continued into the night. Clark said coroner's officials were at the scene and that the body was being collected.

Besides being unable to positively identify the body, police said they were unsure how the woman died and whether it was a homicide.

Clark did say it was apparent the body had been there for some time.

Carlson, 23, was last seen by friends Aug. 7 at Finnegan's Pub and Grill on Pacific Avenue.

Police initially arrested Jason Ross Gilley, 25, but prosecutors said they did not have enough evidence to charge him in connection with her disappearance. Gilley was released.

According to court documents, Gilley first told police he had parted ways with Carlson at Finnegan's, but he later said he dropped her off that day 40 miles south of Stockton.

Word of the Saturday's discovery quickly spread to a Facebook page dedicated to helping find Carlson. Sympathizers there offered prayers for the family.